The Federal Government has addressed concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions of several federal roads across the country.
The deplorable federal roads, including but not limited to the Makurdi-Nsukka 9th Mile Road, East-West Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Benin bypass road, collapsed bridges on the Enugu-Port Harcourt road, Shandam-Plateau State, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, and Gombe-Bauchi, among others,
In a statement on Monday, the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, outlined the ministry’s plans for immediate action and addressed misconceptions about road pavement materials.
Umahi stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of the challenges inherited from the previous administration and is committed to addressing them.
He noted that with the recently approved 2023 Supplementary Budget of $300 billion for the Ministry of Works, which includes $100 billion for immediate palliative works in 36 states and the FCT and $200 billion for the continuation of most inherited ongoing projects and very few new but critical road projects, Tinubu has directed that these palliative projects begin before December 1, 2023.
Umahi also said that the engagement of the ministry will not be limited to any of “these isolatedly reported cases” but shall be a holistic approach to road infrastructure development, with the engagement of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in all 36 states and FCT.
In a bid to enhance transparency and accountability, the Minister calls on the public to supervise contractors engaged in palliative works and ongoing projects.
